President Lee tells Justice Minister Song to 'hang in there' amid resignation rumors

President Lee Jae-myung has reportedly encouraged Justice Minister Song Sang-hyun to persevere, despite Song's previous expressions of intent to resign for health reasons. The remarks were made during a closed-door State Council meeting, where Song was briefing the president on correctional facilities.

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Hang in there.

Sources from the presidential office indicated that Lee, while smiling, told Song to "hang in there" and "do well." These comments are widely interpreted as a subtle rejection of Song's resignation, which the minister had publicly stated on multiple occasions due to health concerns.

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Do well.

However, a presidential office official clarified that Song had never formally submitted his resignation. The official suggested that the president's comments were merely a way to address rumors circulating about Song's potential departure, rather than a direct response to a formal request. The official stated that calling it a "rejection" would be inaccurate.

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Since Minister Song has never officially conveyed his intention to resign, the president's remarks were meant to address the circulating rumors.

Despite the speculation surrounding his position, Song Sang-hyun is scheduled to attend a ministry briefing session later today. The session, which will cover the work of several ministries including Foreign Affairs, Unification, National Defense, and Veterans Affairs, will be presided over by President Lee.

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It is not accurate to call it a rejection.